Pretty high up on my list of challenges is number 4: Catch a flight somewhere random at the last minute with just your handbag and a credit card, as submitted by my Mum.

Considering that this is the woman who, in raising me, would choose cautionary tales over fairytales, it’s somewhat odd that she would set me such a carefree challenge.

JUST a handbag? What if I end up somewhere cold with no jacket, or somewhere hot with no swimmers? What if I end up at Uluru without proper footwear? What if I end up on Chapel Street with no place to put my shopping?

During my reviewsI have frequently praised films that have had the power to move me. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ made me cry and ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ still makes me laugh years after seeing it (and at the most unexpected of times). Whether it be tears of joy brought on by ‘The Intouchables‘ or a new moral perspective found during ‘12 Angry Men‘, I’ve learned that the power of film can be immense.

Since kicking off my training for the 2013 Sydney Half Marathon, I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon.

I’m going to call it the ‘Haters Gonna Hate’ phenomenon.

Essentially, what I’ve noticed is that human beings don’t particularly enjoy the sight of other human beings striving for, or even achieving success. Despite the fact that I am redder than the most super of super tomatoes when I run, and clearly struggling for gasps of air, all many fellow pedestrians see is “She’s doing something to better herself. This makes me feel bad about myself. Ergo, she must be stopped”.

Simin: Does he even realize you are his son?Nader: I know he is my father!

Another recent foreign language film steps up into the ranks, this time the story of an Iranian man whose wife has decided she wants to leave the country, leaving him with the difficult decision of whether to abandon his father, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Iranian film before. The closest I’ve probably ever come is playing ‘Prince of Persia’ back in the glorious 1990s. And, I think we can all agree, that is not very close.

Antoine: These street guys have no pity.Philippe: That’s what I want…no pity.

A few days ago, I was involved in a discussion amongst some friends about the Lord of the Rings series. Basically the conversation centred around the fantasy genre.

Over the years I have come to discover that I do not enjoy the fantasy genre. It’s not that I don’t have respect for Tolkien (or, indeed, Peter Jackson) – they are highly skilled and have produced masterpieces that bring joy and wonder to countless people all over the World. It’s just that they haven’t brought joy and wonder to me.

That’s why I was so thrilled when, sitting in a darkened cinema preparing to watch my first Top 100 movie of the year on the big screen, I was delighted to see the words, “Based on a true story”…

You could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the golden coast
Once you party with us
You’ll be falling in love
Oooooh Oh Oooooh

I have had quite a week and nothing sums it up better than these lyrics from Katy Perry’s ‘California Gurls’.

On Wednesday I flew into Coolangatta Airport on the sunny Gold Coast, ready and rearing to take on the eleventh challenge from my list of ’30 things to try before I’m 30′, number 7: Swim with a Dolphin.

Today, the “race that stops a nation” put pause to the busiest work day of my year. Where breakfast, Doctor Phil and lunch failed, the Melbourne Cup succeeded, and Andy and I enjoyed a brief interlude at the local watering hole to watch the race.

As is his style, Andy made no bets. He doesn’t believe in gambling and I’m told it has something to do with some distant relative losing a Scottish castle in a bet. Which is as good a reason as any to avoid flushing quantities of money down the toilet just because pretty ladies are wearing hats (but no shoes), and all the men are drunk.

I, on the other hand, did my national duty and sacrificed a crisp pineapple to the Turf Gods and I was duly rewarded when, for the first time in my life, I actually had a win on the Melbourne Cup!

Some might put this down to luck, but I put it down to my new betting style. You see, it used to be all about the colour of the jerseys. This year I had a new strategy…